The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1887-08-03
INTERVIEW ED.
what Col. Broadwater and Major Maginnis
Have to Say About Various Matters
and Things.


RIVER PRESS reporter had a pleasant
normal talk to-day with Col. Broadwater
.,5 MAJOR Maginnis on railroad and other
-opics, and what follows is brief resume
Il such portions of it as may be of inter
II to the public.
COL. BRoADWATER
said that Mr. Hill and party would not be
ghIe to tarrY long at Benton or at any 9th
Or point, as his business affairs are always
too pressing to admit of lengthening a
trip Of this kind, which is too long at the
1egt There are only three in the
part7 President Hill, Supt. Eagan and
Chief Engineer Roberts. The latter will
not proceed further than this city or Great
Fails II have been anxious" said the
colonel. "to have Mr. Hill return from
Benton on one of the
STEAMBOATS,
40 as to disabuse his mind of an idea that
has found lodgment there. He is prompt
ed to think, and General Manager Marvel
Il full Of the notion. that the shortest and
most natural route for a railroad is right
10 the Missouri river and that the detour
BY way of Milk river is unnecessary. /
know the situation 50 well that
am absolutely certain a trip down
the Missouri from this place would
wholly disabuse his mind of that idea,
and | would give something to have him
+ake it, but it is out of the question now.
No, the Manitoba is following the natural
r0ute across the continent. A railroad
up the Missouri river, say from Rocky
Point to Fort Benton, is almost an impos-
sibility." In reply to an inquiry as to the
progress of the road, he said they are com
ing along rapidly and that the track would
be laid to
FORT BENTON
inside Of forty days. Mr.. Hill left the
end Of the track Wednesday morning and
lad his plans arranged to be at Fort
Assinniboine Thursday evening. So it is
1Iy two days trip-less than $50 miles
rom the end Of the track to Assinniboine.
Il you Benton people wish to do so,' re-
nked the colonel, ''you can step aboard
Manitoba train after breakfast and eat
gar Thanksgiving dinner in Helena.
You may consider this an invitation, if
you wish rates as usual at all the ho-
tels"
WHAT THE RAILROAD WILL DO.
What viii be the effect Of the compile
lion Of the railroad through this sec
ton y inquired the scribe. "The effect
will be marvellous greater than some Of
Us ever dreamed of. 1t will in reality
mark the beginning Of the development
Of the resources of this portion of Mon
tana. The railroad will help Fort Benton
and will make this good town. So far
as / am concerned / want to see the rela-
lions between this town and the Manitoba
management. as pleasant as possible, and
! have every reason to think that they
viii be. Mr.. Hills general policy in that
regard is as liberal as can be; he believes
n building up towns on the lines of his
system and not in tearing them down.
Any reasonable request on the part Of
your citizens will receive proper consider
alton at his hands,"
MAJOR MAGINNIs.
Ii ie-about four years since Major Magin-
MS has paid Fort Benton visit and then
t-.c .. I,,rr;oJ ono I,o;p,. ~, ooy,,,,o,o1,
With Senator Vest, passing through to
Fort Belknap Some Of the events of that
occasion, however, are indeibly impressed
pom his memory. The Major expresses
0uch surprise at the Advancement that
las been made in that time, many of our
Inc brick structures being new to him.
ne thinksour public buildings are models
ei'eleganee and in proportion to their cost
'he finest in the territory and says there
s NO school house in Montana that will
compare with that Of this city. Fort
Denton, said the Major, "will always be
one o. the leading towns of Montana and
/ would predict that in five years it will |
lave population of
5000 PEOPLE
ana perhaps more. The railroad will be a
great benefit to this town and when that
completed you will soon have others,
@na your town will grow with the develop
Vlent OF the surrounding country. While
represented Montana in congress / al
ways deemed lit of prime Importance to
promote as far as possible the improve
~enS of the upper Missouri river, and
1ehton's position on this stream will be
important factor in her future growth
Na Development"
The MANITOBA RAILROAD.
@alor Aaginnis recently made a tripDy
- Manitoba from st. Paul to Little
,.uldy. The western extention, he says,
'0m Grand Forks to the Missouri river
r'sses through an excellent country the